Tea: The Elixir of Life

Delicious, low-calorie, and brimming with
antioxidants, tea is quickly becoming the most commonly consumed
beverage worldwide, after water. Even in the U.S., its popularity is
rapidly growing. And why not? With the health benefits you stand to
gain, you, too, will want to drink up.

Soak Up the Health Benefits

It is no wonder that tea is the beverage
most commonly enjoyed by centenarians around the world. Tea is full of
powerful antioxidants that improve concentration, gently boost energy,
and make people happier. The free radical-inhibiting property of tea is
more potent than that of vitamin E, and tea is a proven preventive and
treatment for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The
polyphenols in tea, especially the catechins, are powerful antioxidants
that help ward off diabetes and cancer.

To get the most health from your tea, brew it fresh from tea bags or
loose leaves and herbs, as instant and bottled teas contain less active
compounds. Let the tea steep for three to five minutes to extract the
most beneficial compounds. Drink to your health!

Cut the Morning Coffee

For many people, the first thing they reach
for in the morning is coffee. Although it may initially give you a jolt,
coffee actually depletes your vital essence, "borrowing" energy that you
didn't have in the first place.

Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It causes you to
experience stress, Anxiety, a racing mind, and even insomnia, working
against your attempts to relax the body and calm the mind. A healthier
alternative to coffee is herbal tea. On average, a cup of black tea
contains about one third of the caffeine you would get from the same cup
of coffee. Green tea contains about one sixth of that amount.

Of course, caffeine content will vary depending on the particular tea
and the brewing time. One way to naturally decaffeinate your tea is to
steep for 45 seconds, pour out the liquid but keep the tea leaves, then
add fresh boiling water and let it steep for 3-5 minutes or longer to
allow the beneficial polyphenols to be extracted from the tea.

Slim Down with Tea

As a weight loss tool, tea is a wonderfully
cleansing way to flush the system, replace fluids - and pump the body
full of powerful antioxidants at the same time. Aside from the health
benefits, tea is a zero-calorie beverage, making it your best choice for
weight loss. Pass on the diet soda, loaded with sugar and bone-weakening
bubbles, and go for tea.

It is best to drink tea unsweetened and without milk, which can minimize
some of the health benefits. To sweeten the tea without the extra
calories, forgo the sugar and try instead honey, stevia products, or a
stick of cinnamon.

The Healthy Varieties of Herbal Teas

Aromatic and chock full of amazing health
benefits, herbal teas are made from various leaves, roots, bark, or
flowers. Here are just a few:

Ginger: Soothes the digestive system
and keeps your energy fired up

Chamomile: Settles the stomach and
is calming and soothing for the nervous system

You can combine these herbs in any
combination according to your taste and health preferences. Among my
patients, an incredibly popular herbal tea is
Internal Cleanse Tea, which is specially combined to
detoxify, calm nerves, clear the mind, balance emotions, and ease
digestion.

I hope you reap the powerful health benefits of tea! I invite you to
visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with
me.